Total Score: 10/10

[starreviewmulti id=3 tpl=20]

Style: Thrash Metal

Crowd: I was really surprised when I heard that the show got actually moved from the Ricoh Coliseum to the more intimateÂ Kool Haus as the prices were really high this time. The absence of both the late Jeff Hammeman, who died of liver failure and the departure of legendary drummer Dave Lombardo left Slayer with only two original members. The band is still on tour to prove that they can stand on their own even though the “old-school Slayer” set didn’t really help the band sell tickets.Â Many fans felt like it is not the band that it used to be and if Araya and King continue to play under the name of Slayer, it would be dishonest. Will the band’s next priority be a farewell tour? We’ll have to wait and see, for tonightÂ Slayer has done their bloodthirsty legacy proud.

Image/Sex Appeal: Although Jeff Hanneman wrote most of the songs, Kerry King is the face of Slayer thanks to his extreme image. The heavily tattooed guitar player, even hes head is tattooed, reigns on stage. He’s always the one doing most of the interviews and every time Slayer is on the cover of a magazine you’ll see his face. The upside-down crosses and chains that he wears go hand in hand with the band’s music.

Memorable song: When the band played two nights in Los Angeles they wanted the second night to be different and very special. After only playing material from their 1983’s debut, Show No Mercy through to 1990’s Season In The AbyssÂ on the second LA night, they decided to shift the whole tour to be an old-school tour. “Hell Awaits” absolutely destroyed. They killed everyone within their path with “Postmortem”. Slayer remains the most intense, infectious, and irresistible band of all-time – there were four separate pits going on at once. It was nuts! One crowd-surfer fell and his arm was all bent backwards. They reminded me how heavy and dangerous metal can get. Slayer are still unbeatable on stage at a game they pretty much invented. As expected God’s favorite band brought war and blood to Kool Haus, although I felt like something was off without Lombardo and Hanneman on stage. Don’t get me wrong… they couldn’t have picked better replacements, although Gary Holt’s leads were a lot different than Hanneman’s. I’d prefer Jeff myself just because it feels more right, but Holt kills on stage. I just wish it wasn’t all so tragic.

Memorable moment: During the band’s encore, they brought out a backdrop with Jeff Hanemman’s name written out like the Heineken beer logo with “Angel Of Death” and “Still Reigning” written above and below it. In the middle – the legend’s last name. It was a very emotional part of show. On the other hand, things got a little ugly. “Don’t send that guy out” said Tom Araya, which stopped the security from kicking a fan out. Pretty solid of the vocalist not playing until he made sure no one got kicked out. However, I wish he saw that one dude punching a girl and got the security to escort that guy out. I can’t believe the guy actually got away with attacking a woman!